We all know that we should set goals, and that our goals should be SMART, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound. We also know that our goals give us our ‘end’ result, enable us to imagine what the end result looks like and provide us with a roadmap on how we are going to get there.
However, not all of us have goals, let alone write them down. And for those who do write them down, they still aren’t achieved because they get forgotten, are too hard, or being avoided.
We are quite selfish and want to know ‘WIIFM’ (what’s in it for me). In other words, there needs to be a reward, an incentive, an emotional benefit, otherwise we are less likely to even start our goal, let alone work through it or even achieve it!
But there is another step that comes before all of this, and that is determining whether the goal is even the right goal for us in the first place. We need to determine why we want the goal.
If we can ascertain not only WHY we want the goal but WHAT will that goal give us and HOW will that make us feel when we’ve achieved it can be a great foundation in that goal being achieved or not being achieved.
When we talk about a goal being SMART, and the important reasons behind this, it is just as important, or perhaps even more important to determine our ‘why’ so we know we are on the right track.
Remember, it’s as much around us buying into the person we want to be upon achievement of the goal or the feeling upon completion of a task or seeing where we will be once we’ve completed the job that gives us that feeling of success.
Spending time identifying why we are even considering this goal, identifying what the outcomes are that we are looking for, and where we might be or how we might feel one the goal is complete i.e. in what way will the benefits of a completed goal help me in my work, business or personal life; in what way will you be different, better, more knowledgeable, healthy or productive?
Following these steps prevents you from quitting and helps keep motivation high as well as feeling more positive about what you are doing, why you are doing it and where you will be when you get there.
Subscribe to Success Factor Wednesday Wake-Up: www.successfactor.co.nz
#successfactor